A Way to Yesterday

Chapter 30- First Times the Charm

Liam's POV: 

Past. 

The semester sped by. I tried to not let my parents situation get to me. I went to classes regularly and hung out with Cara most days. I was practically moved in after a few months. I saw Zayn a few times outside of the dorm. I tried to remain as normal as I could. But in the back of my mind I kept thinking of my parents. 

I kept thinking of them going through the divorce. About how they interacted while knowing that in a few short months they'd be moved out away from each other. How they would decide how to spend holidays. How they would decide to split their things that they've gotten over the years of being with each other. 

And then I would think about how I would deal withthese things. How would I feel when they actually moved into two separate places? How would I decide who to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with? And would I get anything to commemorate when our family was still a whole? 

The answers to these questions were slowly approaching. In April the divorce became final. My dad had found a place near where Ethan and his family lived and my mom stayed in Manhattan, where I grew up.  My mom kept the car and majority of the family stuff and my dad took the tools and electronics that my mom could never use. The house was sold quickly and they both agreed that most of the money would go to my tuition. The rest was used to help get them settled in.  

I hadn't gone to see either of them since Christmas break. And neither of them asked. Until the semester was close to ending. That's when my mom called. 

"Who are you planning on staying with when school gets out?" my mom asks. I walk around Cara's apartment with my phone pressed to my ear. She's curled up on the couch with a book in her lap and her notebook balancing on her knee. 

"I don't know yet," I say. I sit besides Cara and she leans into my side and I put an arm around her. 

"Well you have to decide. The semester is over in two weeks and you can't stay in the dorms during the summer," she reminds me. I sigh heavily. 

"I know mom. It's not a priority of mine right now. I would like to focus on the rest of semester so that I can graduate. I'll think about it though and let you know," I say. 

"Okay. And if you do come to stay with me I made sure I got an extra bedroom for you. I even have a little set up for you," she says. 

"I'll keep that in mind," I mumble. My mom doesn't speak for a moment. 

"Have you spoken to your father?" she asks quietly. 

"Briefly. He's been working a lot," I tell her. 

"So he got his job back?" 

"No. He's working at Ethan's place until he finds something better," I tell her. 

"Oh. Well good for him. Anyway. I have to go but please let me know beforehand," she says. 

"I will. I love you mom." 

"I love you too Liam," she says. I hang up the phone and sigh again. Cara closes her book and turns to face me. She wraps her arms around my neck and plants a kiss on my cheek and jaw. I smile and turn to her suddenly. I grab her ankles and pull her down. She lies back on the couch and she giggles as I kiss all over her face. 

"God I love you," I say. Her laughter dies down to a smile and she places her hands on both sides of my face and kisses me tenderly. 

"I love you too," she says when she pulls away. I look into her eyes and smile at the sincerity there. She gets that look every time those words move past her lips. And I did too. I kiss her again, this time slowly and passionately. Her hands wrap around my neck again and then move slowly down my chest.